BEA: Smoke in Cabin Preceded Fatal Pilatus PC-6 Skydive Crash in France

France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has released a preliminary report on the June 28, 2026, crash of a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter that killed all 11 people on board. The aircraft, registered F-DIPS, descended almost vertically shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey aerodrome in Tomblaine, Meurthe-et-Moselle.

Two instructors independently reported smoke in the cabin during the takeoff roll, immediately before the aircraft entered a low-altitude left bank and an asymmetric stall. The BEA has classified the event under the categories of "fire or smoke with no impact involved" and "loss of control in flight." Investigators noted, however, that no smoke was visible in external video footage reviewed to date, and while several potential ignition sources have been ruled out, no confirmed source has been identified. Flight data and ADS-B analysis also revealed a brief abnormal change in engine parameters prior to the stall — a factor now under active scrutiny.

To assess whether the engine was a contributing cause, it has been transported to Canada for a full teardown and bench analysis. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called the crash the most significant skydiving-related aviation disaster in France in approximately three decades. The victims included the pilot, five instructors and five student skydivers. The BEA cautioned that a final report is not expected before 2027.